System and method for completing two calls using analog interface to telephone network

ABSTRACT

The system and method of the present invention completes at least two calls originating from terminal equipment located at a premises and connected by a point-of-attachment having a single phone number to a public switched telephone network where a dial tone is provided to the premises. Multiple calls are now allowed with an analog interface to the public switched telephone network. At least two calls and control channel are combined into a modulated analog signal having a separate channel for each call and transmitted through a modulation/demodulation device as a modulated analog signal to the public switched telephone network. The modulated analog signal is split into respective calls and control channel. Each call is forwarded to a respective remote device based on the identity information and auxiliary information received through the control channel.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/647,302 filed May 9,1996, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and method for completing at leasttwo calls from a premises that is connected by a singlepoint-of-attachment having a single phone number to a telephone networkand more particularly a public switched telephone network using ananalog interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multiple calls often are established over digital networks fromterminals connected by a point-of-attachment identified by a singleterminal number. For example, networks using packet-switched datanetworks, described in ITU-T recommendations X.25, use digitalterminations and allow multiple calls over the network. Other examplesinclude frame-relay networks, described in ITU-T recommendation I.233;narrow-band ISDN, described in ITU-T recommendation 1.210; andbroad-band ISDN networks, described in ITU-T recommendation I.211. Theseservices use digital terminations that can be expensive to implement andmaintain.

It would be advantageous if a premises connected by apoint-of-attachment to the public switched Telephone Network (PSTN)having a single phone number for handling voice calls with the standard,analog “tip-and-ring” interface could carry a modulated signal betweenthe premises and the public switched telephone network that includesmulti-call capability from terminal equipment located on the premises,such as a telephone, video, fax machine, or computer. This would beadvantageous, for example, if someone at a premises is using a computerwhile at the same time a telephone call needs to be made to a differentlocation. Other examples could include someone making two telephonecalls to the network, or using a computer and fax machine or a telephoneand fax machine simultaneously.

It is therefore desirable if a method and system could complete at leasttwo calls to different locations originating from terminal equipmentlocated at a premises, which is connected by a point-of-attachmenthaving a single phone number to a public switched telephone networkwithout digital termination such as ISDN systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now allows a method and system for completing atleast two calls originating from terminal equipment located at apremises and connected by a point-of-attachment having a single phonenumber to a telephone network where one dial tone is provided on ananalog interface to the premises. The method and system of thisinvention permits multiple calls, such as an analog phone, video, data,fax and comparable calls over a single analog interface. It can beextended to allow an increased number of calls by utilizing additionalanalog interfaces. Such an extension, sometimes known as a multi-linkarrangement, provides for any allocation of the multiple calls acrossthe plurality of analog interfaces.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a controlchannel is established between the telephone network, such as a publicswitched telephone network, and the terminal equipment located at thepremises. At least two calls originating from premises equipment and thecontrol channel are combined at the premises into a modulated analogsignal having a separate channel for each call. Likewise, any incomingcalls are combined with the above calls and the control channel fortransmission between the customer premises and the public switchedtelephone network. Identity information is transmitted from theoriginating terminal equipment through the control channel to aid indetermining a remote device with which a call is desired. This includesauxiliary information for progressing the call. The signal istransmitted from a modulation/demodulation device as a modulated analogsignal to the public switched telephone network. The modulated analogsignal is split into respective calls and the control channel, and thecalls are then forwarded to a respective remote device based on identityinformation and auxiliary information received through the controlchannel.

In one aspect of the present invention, the calls can be split at thepublic switched telephone network. The public switched telephone networkcan also include a cellular network. Identifiers are associated witheach channel for distinguishing each channel within the public switchedtelephone network. Each channel can also comprise a plurality ofinformation blocks, and identifiers can be associated between the publicswitched telephone network and the terminal equipment for each channelto distinguish the information blocks belonging to each call or controlchannel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be appreciated more fully from the following description, withreferences to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a telephone network includingthe intelligent network components of the public switched telephonenetwork and other components suitable for use with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the control channel betweenterminal equipment at the premises and the public switched telephonenetwork.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail multiple channels between the terminalequipment and the public switched telephone network and respective callsextending to remote units.

FIG. 4 shows in greater detail the use of identifiers for informationblocks to distinguish between calls.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing operation of the control channel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing one aspect of the method of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an overview of the publicswitched telephone network 10 that is connected via a first LocalExchange Company (LEC) 12 to a premises 14, such as a residentialpremises, having a personal computer 16 and analog telephone 18. Thepresent method and system allows multi-call capability from the premises14 connected via an analog interface having a single phone number.Multi-call capability in accordance with the present invention includesthe merging of two or more calls such as analog phone, data, video, faxand other similar calls. In accordance with the present invention, theanalog telephone 18 and personal computer 16 as well as any otherequipment (not shown) such as fax or video are devices and connected toor included as part of multi-call terminal-equipment 20 (hereafter“terminal equipment”), and includes a modulation/demodulation device 22.The multi-call terminal equipment 20 can be integrated into one physicalstructure or box at the premises and can be located in a small business,residential premises, or other premises where a singlepoint-of-attachment having a single phone line to a public switchtelephone network uses an analog interface. The modulation/demodulationdevice 22 can be a regular modem, limited distance modem, or a linedriver.

The LEC 12 is connected to the premises 14 and terminal equipment 20 bya point-of-attachment having a single phone line using an analoginterface that supplies one dial tone to the premises. The publicswitched telephone network 10 includes Service Switching Points (SSP) 24and a standard CCS7 signaling network 26 that is connected to a ServiceControl Point (SCP) 28, which also includes a database 30 as isconventional. The public switched telephone network 10 also includes acellular network 32 that is connected to a Service Switching Point 24via a Mobile Switching Office (MSO) 34.

For purposes of describing the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, thepublic switched telephone network 10 also connects to a second LocalExchange Company (LEC) 40, which connects to a second premises 42 havingremote devices, i.e., a personal computer 44 and analog telephone 46,and a third premises 48 having an analog telephone 50.

In accordance with the present invention, a multi-call service element(MC-SE) 52 in the form of an adjunct processor 54 is connected to theLEC 12 and is shown outside the network 10. Alternately, the multi-callservice element 52 could be an integral part of the switch 24. The MC-SEcould be located outside the network in a premises. The LEC 12 providesthe modem-to-modem connectivity. The multi-call service element 52includes processing hardware, including a modulation/demodulationfunction 55, and may have an associated database 56 that could storerouting information, the telephone numbers of those subscribers who usethe present system and method for establishing multi-call capabilityusing a single phone line and analog interface. The Database 30 also canbe used for storing telephone numbers of subscribers, and would bepreferred.

Referring now to the flow chart of FIG. 6, and in greater detail toFIGS. 2 through 5, details of the method and system of the presentinvention are set forth below with a description for completing multiplecalls from a residential premises having a personal computer 16 andanalog telephone 18. For purposes of clarity, each step corresponding toa block begins with the numerical sequence starting at 100. It should beunderstood that this description is only one example. For purposes ofdescription, the steps will be explained with reference to the MC-SEpositioned in the public switched telephone network.

The terminal equipment of the present invention contacts the publicswitched telephone network, and more particularly the multi-call serviceelement and a modulated signal is established (Block 100). It should beunderstood, that the public switched telephone network could contact themulti-call terminal equipment for a first incoming call. The publicswitched telephone network 10, through its multi-call service element52, then establishes a control channel 58 (FIG. 2) for signallingpurposes between the multi-call service element and the terminalequipment 20 (Block 102). It should be understood that the establishmentof a control channel could be done by either party after the modemconnection has been made regardless of which side originated the modemconnection. The control channel 58 is used for signalling and goes overthe modulated connection. The originating terminal equipment 20 then canplace a call, such as voice, data, fax or video call, via the controlchannel 58, to a remote multi-call terminal element that is also asubscriber to the present multi-call system, such as the personalcomputer 44 shown in the second premises 42 in FIG. 1 and to a remoteexisting terminal that is not subscriber to the present multi-callsystem, such as the analog telephone 50 shown in the third premises 48in FIG. 1.

The multi-call service element 52, as part of the public switchedtelephone network 10, then places a call to the remote terminalequipment (Block 104). This is done through an interface to a telephoneswitch by signalling the need to set up a new call. The signalling onthis interface naturally depends on the relationship between themulti-call service element 52 and the telephone switch 24. For example,the relationship could involve a mapping of the information flow(messages) and the information elements (semantics and syntax) betweenthe MC-SE/telephone on the first interface and the MC-SE telephoneswitch interface. The mapping would involve mapping a connect message onthe first interface to an Initial Address Message (IAM) on the second,providing, the MC-SE has the capability of sending these messages to theSSP 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship of control channels between MC-SE andMCTE's. One control channel is designated by letter “a” between thepremises and the PSTN, and “b” between the PTSN and the MC-TE at thesecond premises 42. Both control channels are labeled with channelidentifier CId=0, (identifiers). As illustrated, an information channelis established from the first premises MC-TE into the PSTN, labeledCId=3, and a second information channel labeled CId=27 is establishedbetween PSTN 10 and the second premises MC-TE 42. The network maintainsthe mapping of CId=3 and CId=27 to support the call between premises 20and premises 42.

When the call is made, a query is sent to the database 56 contained inthe multi-call service element 52 or database 30 to determine if thecalled number is a subscriber to the multi-call system of the presentinvention (Block 106). If the called number is not a subscriber to themulti-call system, or if any remote terminal equipment 42 is not usingthis service at the time, a normal “tip-and-ring” call is placed to theremote device (Block 108). During call set-up, unique identifiers areassociated with the call (Block 105) on the calling side, and if theremote device is also a subscriber to the present invention, at thecalled side and the set of identifiers are associated with both sides(110).

When establishing a call using the control channel (after it has beensetup), a unique identifier is chosen by the establishing party(premises for outgoing call; MC-SE for incoming call). This is usedsubsequently by both parties to identify the “blocks” or packets ofinformation that flow over the channel (between the premises and theMC-SE) belonging to each call. The control channel has its ownidentifier (probably zero since it is the first channel established).But these identifiers are local to the premises/MC-SE channel(interface). If the remote end is also served by this invention, thatMC-SE/premises pick their own identifier for the channel serving thatpart of the call; if not, then a regular call is set up and noidentifier is used or needed at the remote end. Additionally, auxiliaryinformation can be transmitted to aid in progressing the call.

Auxiliary information from the calling side could include the type ofcalling device (e.g., fax) for proper completion at the remote end or arequest for language translation between the two parties.

For incoming calls, auxiliary information includes the remote side'scalling party ID for display at the premise, assuming it is not blocked.

The information blocks, or packets, carry information pertaining to thechannel. For the control channel, these can be messages for setting upcalls. For voice channels, these are compressed and digitized voicepackets. For fax channels, these are digital parts of the scanned page.The identifier is a unique number or other unique identifier. Using theunique identifier as established during the call set up, the publicswitched telephone network 10, through its multi-call service element52, transmits information blocks associated with that first call betweenthe multi-call terminal equipment 20 and the remote device (Block 112).

Referring now again to the Flow Chart of FIG. 6, another call can beoriginated to or received from other terminal equipment (Block 114). Oneof the calls is then finished (Block 116). If there are any remainingcalls (Block 118), then information blocks continue to be transmitted(Block 112) on the remaining channels. If there are no remaining calls,the connection can be terminated with the public switched telephonenetwork (Block 120).

The current invention as set forth in the system and method as describedabove now allows multi-call capability even with the analog interfaceexisting between the public switched telephone network 10 and a standardpremises or other analog interface to be used while allowing multiplecalls. Various advantages accrue as noted in the following examples.

1) A telecommuter could be working at home and accessing an e-mailserver. While this interaction occurs, the telecommuter also can place avoice call to a fellow worker to discuss another project. The multi-callservice of the present invention provides the capability of thetelecommuter to originate two calls. Additionally, the telecommutercould receive a call while accessing the e-mail server.

2) A child can access a game server or “surf-the-web”. At the same time,the child's parents can originate or receive voice calls.

3) A worker in a “small-office/home-office” may need to discuss anongoing project with his/her partner using material in a fax. Thepartner may not have the proper type of terminal equipment, but thepartner does have two separate phone lines, one which is connected to afax machine. The service of the present invention can be used by theworker to split the calls within the public switched telephone network,placing the voice call to the partner on the proper line and a fax callto the other line.

4) A network trouble-shooter receives a voice call from a customerhaving trouble accessing the network, which is remote from the customer.Both people have multi-call terminal equipment capable of using thesystem of the present invention. While talking to the customer, thetrouble-shooter could access the network and determine the problem andthen resolve it. The customer could be directed to access the networkwithout hanging up with the trouble-shooter. When the customer issatisfied that the problem has been resolved, each party can thenrelease both calls.

5) A person at home could be talking to someone on a voice call. Whilethis is occurring, someone in the same home can place a second callusing the same phone line and number. The two calls can be to twodifferent destinations.

Many other examples could occur as necessary and as the user of thesystem of the present invention determines are necessary.

It is to be understood that the above description is only one preferredembodiment of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devisedby one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for completing at least one calloriginating from terminal equipment located at a premises and connectedby at least one point-of-attachment to a telephone network comprisingestablishing a control channel between the telephone network and theterminal equipment, transmitting from the terminal equipment through thecontrol channel any identity information of a remote device with which arespective call is desired, establishing an additional channel for eachrespective call, combining at the premises the call channels that haveoriginated from terminal equipment and the control channel into apacketized modulated analog signal having a separate channel for eachrespective call, transmitting the signal from a modulation/demodulationdevice incorporated with the terminal equipment as a modulated analogsignal to the telephone network, splitting the modulated analog signalinto respective calls and the control channel, and forwarding eachrespective call to a respective remote device based on identityinformation received through the control channel.
 2. A method accordingto claim 1 including transmitting an indication on the control channelto the terminal equipment from the telephone network that indicates aremote user desires to initiate a respective call along with auxiliaryinformation.
 3. A method according to claim 1 including auxiliaryinformation for progressing the calls.
 4. A method according to claim 1including splitting the respective calls at the telephone network sothey may be forwarded to different destinations.
 5. A method accordingto claim 1 wherein said telephone network includes a cellular network.6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the respective calls includeany combination of one or more voice, data, fax and video calls.
 7. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein said modulation/demodulation devicecomprises at least one of either a modem, line driver, or limiteddistance modem.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein each channelcomprises a plurality of information blocks.
 9. A method according toclaim 8 including associating identifiers between the telephone networkand the terminal equipment at the premises for each channel todistinguish the information blocks belonging to each call or controlchannel.
 10. A method for completing at least one call originating fromterminal equipment located at a premises and connected by at least onepoint-of-attachment to a public switched telephone network comprisingestablishing a control channel between a public switched telephonenetwork and terminal equipment located at a premises, receiving throughthe control channel any identity information of a remote device withwhich a respective call is desired, including auxiliary information forprogressing the respective call, receiving within the public switchednetwork a packetized modulated analog signal that has been combinedwithin a modulation/demodulation device associated with premisesequipment from at least one call that has originated from the terminalequipment, splitting the modulated analog signal into respective callsand the control channel, and forwarding each respective call to arespective remote device based on identity information and auxiliaryinformation received through the control channel.
 11. A method accordingto claim 10 including transmitting an indicator on the control channelto the terminal equipment from the public switched telephone networkthat indicates a remote user desires to initiate a call along withauxiliary information associated with the respective call.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 10 including auxiliary information comprising carrieridentification codes for progressing the respective calls.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 10 including splitting the respective calls at thepublic switched telephone network so they may be forwarded to differentdestinations.
 14. A method according to claim 10 wherein said publicswitched telephone network includes a cellular network.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 10 wherein the respective calls including combinationof one or more voice, data, fax and video calls.
 16. A method accordingto claim 10 wherein said modulation/demodulation device comprises atleast one of either a modem, line driver or limited distance modem. 17.A method according to claim 10 wherein each channel comprises aplurality of information blocks.
 18. A method according to claim 17including associating identifiers between the public switched telephonenetwork and the terminal equipment for each channel to distinguish theinformation blocks belonging to each respective call or control channel.19. A system for completing at least one call originating from terminalequipment located at a premises and connected by at least onepoint-of-attachment to a telephone network comprising a control channelextending between the telephone network and the terminal equipment fortransmitting identity information of a remote device to which arespective call is desired, means located at the premises for combiningat least two respective calls that have originated from terminalequipment and the control channel into a modulated analog signal havinga separate channel for each respective call, said terminal equipmentincluding a modulation/demodulation device for receiving the signal andtransmitting a packetized modulated analog signal to the telephonenetwork, and a multi-call service element for splitting the modulatedanalog signal into respective calls and the control channel andforwarding each respective call to a respective remote device based onidentity information received through the control channel.
 20. A systemaccording to claim 19 wherein the multi-call service element isincorporated within the telephone network.
 21. A system according toclaim 19 wherein said telephone network includes means for generating anindication through the control channel to the terminal equipment thatindicates a remote user desires to initiate a respective call along withauxiliary information.
 22. A system according to claim 19 wherein saidtelephone network includes a cellular network.
 23. A system according toclaim 19 wherein the respective calls include any combination of one ormore voice, data, fax and video calls.
 24. A system according to claim19 wherein said modulation/demodulation device comprises at least one ofeither a modem, line driver, or limited distance modem.
 25. A systemaccording to claim 19 wherein each channel comprises a plurality ofinformation blocks.
 26. A system according to claim 25 includingidentifiers between the telephone network and the terminal equipmentassociated for each channel to distinguish the information blocksbelonging to each respective call or control channel.
 27. A systemaccording to claim 19 including auxiliary information for progressingthe respective call comprising carrier identification codes.
 28. Asystem for completing at least one call originating from terminalequipment located at a premises and connected by at least onepoint-of-attachment to a public switched telephone network comprising acontrol channel extending between a public switched telephone networkand terminal equipment located at a premises for receiving identityinformation of a remote device with which a respective call is desiredalong with any auxiliary information for progressing the respectivecall, means for combining at the premises at least two respective callsthat have originated from terminal equipment and the control channelinto a packetized modulated analog signal including amodulator/demodulator device for transmitting to the public switchednetwork a modulated analog signal, and a multi-call service element forsplitting the modulated analog signal into respective calls and thecontrol channel and forwarding each respective call to a respectiveremote device based on identity information along with any auxiliaryinformation received through the control channel.
 29. A system accordingto claim 28 wherein said public switched telephone network includesmeans for generating an indication through the control channel to theterminal equipment that indicates a remote user desires to initiate arespective call along with auxiliary information.
 30. A system accordingto claim 28 wherein said multi-call service element is incorporatedwithin the public switched telephone network..
 31. A system according toclaim 28 including the auxiliary information comprising carrieridentification codes.
 32. A system according to claim 28 wherein saidpublic switched telephone network includes a cellular network.
 33. Asystem according to claim 28 wherein the respective calls include anycombination of one or more voice, data, fax and video calls.
 34. Asystem according to claim 28 wherein said modulation/demodulation devicecomprises at least one of either a modem, line driver or limiteddistance modem.
 35. A system according to claim 28 wherein each channelcomprises a plurality of information blocks.
 36. A system according toclaim 35 including identifiers between the public switched network andthe terminal equipment to distinguish the information blocks belongingto each respective call or control channel.
 37. A method for completingat least one call at a premises having terminal equipment and connectedby at least one point-of-attachment to a telephone network comprisingestablishing a control channel between the telephone network and theterminal equipment, receiving at the premises as a packetized modulatedanalog signal at least two respective calls and the control channel thathave been previously merged into a modulated analog signal having aseparate channel for each respective call, receiving through the controlchannel any identity information of a remote device at the premises withwhich a respective call is desired, splitting the modulated analogsignal into respective calls and the control channel through amodulation/demodulation device incorporated with the terminal equipment,and forwarding each respective call to a device based on identityinformation received through the control channel.
 38. A method forcompleting at least one call originating from terminal equipment locatedat a premises and connected by at least one point-of-attachment to atelephone network comprising establishing a control channel between thetelephone network and the terminal equipment, transmitting from theterminal equipment through the control channel any identity informationof a remote device with which a respective call is desired, establishingan additional channel for each respective call, wherein at least two ofsaid respective calls are of a same type, combining at the premises thecall channels that have originated from terminal equipment and thecontrol channel into a modulated analog signal having a separate channelfor each respective call, transmitting the signal from amodulation/demodulation device incorporated with the terminal equipmentas a modulated analog signal to the telephone network, splitting themodulated analog signal into respective calls and the control channel,and forwarding each respective call to a respective remote device basedon identity information received through the control channel.
 39. Amethod according to claim 38 including splitting the respective calls atthe telephone network so they may be forwarded to differentdestinations.
 40. A method according to claim 38 wherein each channelcomprises a plurality of information blocks.
 41. A method according toclaim 40 including associating identifiers between the telephone networkand the terminal equipment at the premises for each channel todistinguish the information blocks belonging to each respective call orcontrol channel.
 42. A method for completing at least one calloriginating from terminal equipment located at a premises and connectedby at least one point-of-attachment to a public switched telephonenetwork comprising establishing a control channel between a publicswitched telephone network and terminal equipment located at a premises,receiving through the control channel any identity information of aremote device with which a respective call is desired, includingauxiliary information for progressing the call, and wherein at least twosaid respective calls are of a same type, receiving within the publicswitched network a modulated analog signal that has been combined withina modulation/demodulation device associated with premises equipment fromat least two respective calls that have originated from the terminalequipment, splitting the modulated analog signal into respective callsand the control channel, and forwarding each respective call to arespective remote device based on identity information and auxiliaryinformation received through the control channel.
 43. A method accordingto claim 42 including splitting the respective calls at the telephonenetwork so they may be forwarded to different destinations.
 44. A methodaccording to claim 42 wherein each channel comprises a plurality ofinformation blocks.
 45. A method according to claim 44 includingassociating identifiers between the public switched telephone networkand the terminal equipment for each channel to distinguish theinformation blocks belonging to each respective call or control channel.46. A system for completing at least one call originating from terminalequipment located at a premises and connected by at least onepoint-of-attachment to a telephone network comprising a control channelextending between the telephone network and the terminal equipment fortransmitting identity information of a remote device to which arespective call is desired, and wherein at least two said respectivecalls are of a same type, means located at the premises for combining atleast two respective calls that have originated from terminal equipmentand the control channel into a modulated analog signal having a separatechannel for each respective call, said terminal equipment including amodulation/demodulation device for receiving the signal and transmittinga modulated analog signal to the telephone network, and a multi-callservice element for splitting the modulated analog signal intorespective calls and the control channel and forwarding each respectivecall to a respective remote device based on identity informationreceived through the control channel.
 47. A system according to claim 46wherein each channel comprises a plurality of information blocks.
 48. Asystem according to claim 47 including identifiers between the publicswitched telephone network and the terminal equipment associated foreach channel to distinguish the information blocks belonging to eachrespective call or control channel.
 49. A system for completing at leastone call originating from terminal equipment located at a premises andconnected by at least one point-of-attachment to a public switchedtelephone network comprising a control channel extending between apublic switched telephone network and terminal equipment located at apremises for receiving identity information of a remote device withwhich a respective call is desired along with any auxiliary informationfor progressing the respective call, and wherein at least two respectivecalls are of a same type, means for combining at the premises at leasttwo respective calls that have originated from terminal equipment andthe control channel into a modulated analog signal including amodulator/demodulator device for transmitting to the public switchednetwork a modulated analog signal, and a multi-call service element forsplitting the modulated analog signal into respective calls and thecontrol channel and forwarding each respective call to a respectiveremote device based on identity information received through the controlchannel.
 50. A system according to claim 49 wherein each channelcomprises a plurality of information blocks.
 51. A system according toclaim 50 including identifiers between the public switched telephonenetwork and the terminal equipment to distinguish the information blocksbelonging to each respective call or control channel.
 52. A method forcompleting at least one call originating from a subscriber premises thatis connected by at least one point-of-attachment to a telecommunicationsnetwork comprising establishing a control channel between thetelecommunications network and the subscriber premises, receiving at thetelecommunications network through the control channel from thesubscriber premises identity information of a remote device to whicheach respective call is desired, establishing an additional channelbetween the subscriber premises and the telecommunications network foreach respective call, receiving at the telecommunications network fromthe subscriber premises a packetized modulated analog signal having aseparate channel for each respective call, splitting the modulatedanalog signal into respective calls and the control channel, andforwarding each respective call via the telecommunications network to arespective remote device based on identity information received throughthe control channel.
 53. A method according to claim 52 includingsplitting the respective calls at the telecommunications network so theymay be forwarded to different destinations.
 54. A system for completingat least one call originating from a subscriber premises connected by atleast one point-of-attachment to a telecommunications network comprisinga control channel extending between the telecommunications network andthe subscriber premises for carrying identity information from thesubscriber premises indicative of a remote device to which eachrespective call is desired; a means located within thetelecommunications network for receiving a modulated packetized signalhaving a separate channel for each respective call; and a multi-callservice element for splitting the modulated packetized signal intorespective calls and the control channel and forwarding each respectivecall to a respective remote device based on identity informationreceived through the control channel.